University of Virginia Library

It is the winter deep, and all

St Joseph's staff hath budded, and bloometh at Christmastide.


The glittering fields that morn
In Avalon's isle were oversnowed—
The day the Lord was born;
And as they cross the northward brow,
See white, but not with snow,
The mystic thorn beside their path
Its holy blossoms show.